Fulham head coach Marco Silva has acknowledged that he has been left impressed by the evolution of Nottingham Forest.
On Friday evening, the Premier League resumes for the first time since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II with seven fixtures taking place across three days.
The enforced break came at a time when the two newly-promoted sides had been enduring contrasting fortunes upon their return to the top flight.
Fulham have collected a total of eight points from their opening six matches, their only two defeats coming by 2-1 scorelines at Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
Meanwhile, Forest, who made in excess of 20 first-team signings during the summer, currently occupy 19th spot after losing four of their six fixtures.
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Nevertheless, speaking ahead of their clash at the City Ground, Silva talked up Fulham's upcoming opponents and their efforts in the transfer market.
Speaking to reporters, Silva said: "Tough game. They come from a tough defeat at home. When you are winning 2-0 at home and you don't get points from the game, it's tough.
"They want to show a reaction, for sure. We want to do the same for our last game at Tottenham. I think it will be a really competitive match against a side who, after what they did in the market, their summer was really, really, really strong.
"To creative a competitive squad and one which can have a high level in this competition, in my opinion. Of course, they wanted to get points, we are the same, and we go there to fight, to get the three points.
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"It is always our aim, and ambition for the match, but it will be a tough game for both teams, not just for us."
The teams are no strangers to each other having squared off in the Championship during the 2021-22 campaign.
In the corresponding fixture back in October, Fulham recorded a dominant 4-0 victory in the East Midlands, their third successive win at Forest's home ground.
However, Forest would bounce back in April with a 1-0 win at Craven Cottage, Philip Zinckernagel netting the only goal of the contest.
Darren Plant
